A Daily Dose of God

 

Homily Cycle I 12/18/2020

Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

 

 

In our first reading from Isaiah, we learned that we should do what is right and just.  Those who do so will be blessed.  Then, in the Gospel we heard about “… how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.”  We, also, learned that God is with us and St. Joseph listened to God and did what God wanted him to do.

 

St. Joseph was declared patron of the universal church by Pope Pius IX in 12/08/1870.  On 12/08/2020 Pope Francis declared a Year of St. Joseph with his Apostolic Letter [Patris Corde], “With a Father’s Heart”.  In the letter Pope mentions seven Characteristics that St. Joseph lived while here on earth:

1.    A beloved father

2.    A tender and loving father

3.    An obedient father

4.    An accepting father

5.    A creatively courageous father

6.    A working father

7.    A father in the shadows

 

Characteristics that ever parent should try to follow.  A characteristic that the Pope mentions (implicitly) is St. Joseph was a loving, trusting and devoted husband to Mary. 

 

The Pope offered us this prayer to St. Joseph:

Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,

Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

To you God entrusted his only Son;

in you Mary placed her trust;

with you Christ became man.

Blessed Joseph, to us too,

show yourself a father

and guide us in the path of life.

Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage,

and defend us from every evil. Amen.

 

 

Pope Francis places his most difficult prayers on a piece of paper and puts them under his statue of St. Joseph.  We will conclude our celebration this morning by asking to St. Joseph help us.  We can do the same every night, pray to St. Joseph to intercede for us.  A good habit to begin this Advent and then continue for the rest of our life.

 

May God Be Praised!